THE ECONOMIC AND political conditions in Barbados and indeed several other regional countries are such that many pundits believe the only real mechanism for change is the opportunity for people to choose the governments they believe can potentially deliver the relief and hope that are desperately needed in these vastly troubling times.
When one reflects on the ongoing political battles in Dominica, for example, in relation to that country’s citizenship by investment programme and the continuing calls by the official opposition for the prime minister and his government to step down, there can be no denying that some degree of discomfort exists in that island, not only related to the sale of passports to individuals with alleged dubious backgrounds but also in the international business environment prevailing at the moment.
But, should the prime minister give in to the demands of the opposition, will the good people of Dominica choose a government that will deliver? The truth is that no one can predict with certainty the answer to that crucial question.
Moving across the region to the Bahamas, the people of that country will soon be given their opportunity to select a new government. From the intelligence I have been picking up, that election is likely to be a real battle between the two main rival parties following which the present administration could very well find itself on the losing end.
As I seek to internalise all of the economic and political goings-on in the Caribbean and the hosting of elections, I am reminded of some words of wisdom from Abraham Lincoln: “Elections belong to the people. It is their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” Simple advice, yet pretty revealing in content!
To the people of The Bahamas and indeed to all of us across the Caribbean, the million dollar question is: When it comes to elections and our opportunities to choose governments, will we continue to burn our behinds and consequently be forced to sit on our blisters?
This is a rather telling question because how often have we the people elected governments only for them to turn around and deliver mere broken promises? How often have we the people been told all sorts of glorious things on political platforms and in manifestos only to realise, after we cast our votes, that everything we have been fed was just pie-in-the- sky?
As a people, we have to stand up in defence of our future and that of our children and grandchildren. We cannot afford to allow governments to continue to play football with our dreams and aspirations. We have to speak with one voice and let all of our leaders and prospective leaders know that come election day, we the people will demonstrate to you, in the words of Andrew Johnson: “Tyranny and despotism can be exercised by many, more rigorously, more vigorously, and more severely, than by one.”
I say to you there is no reason to become overly aggressive, especially during elections. Despite what you are told during the campaign, you should think independently and make the right call when you enter that polling station.
In so doing, a word of caution to all of our leaders and political parties seeking to gain control of government is quite in order. That word of prudence originates with Aldous Huxley: “Great is truth, but still greater, from a practical point of view, is silence about truth.”
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